other (aquatic) monsters, the Rishi threw himself into it, but the river mistaking the Brahmana for a mass of (unquenchable) fire, immediately flew in a hundred different directions, and hath been known ever since by the name of the Satadru (the river of a hundred courses).  Seeing himself on the dry land even there he exclaimed, ’O, I cannot die by my own hands!’ Saying this, the Rishi once more bent his steps towards his asylum.  Crossing numberless mountains and countries, as he was about to re-enter his asylum, he was followed by his daughter-in-law named Adrisyanti.  As she neared him, he heard the sound from behind of a very intelligent recitation of the Vedas with the six graces of elocution.  Hearing that sound, the Rishi asked, ‘Who is it that followeth me?’ His daughter-in-law then answered, ’I am Adrisyanti, the wife of Saktri.  I am helpless, though devoted to asceticism.’  Hearing her, Vasishtha said, ’O daughter, whose is this voice that I heard, repeating the Vedas along with the Angas like unto the voice of Saktri reciting the Vedas with the Angas?’ Adrisyanti answered, ’I bear in my womb a child by thy son Saktri.  He hath been here full twelve years.  The voice thou hearest is that of the Muni, who is reciting the Vedas.’

“The Gandharva continued, ’Thus addressed by her the illustrious Vasishtha became exceedingly glad.  And saying, ’O, there is a child (of my race)!’—­he refrained, O Partha, from self-destruction.  The sinless one accompanied by his daughter-in-law, then returned to his asylum.  And the Rishi saw one day in the solitary woods (the Rakshasa) Kalmashapada.  The king, O Bharata, possessed by fierce Rakshasa, as he saw the Rishi, became filled with wrath and rose up, desiring to devour him.  And Adrisyanti beholding before her that the Rakshasa of cruel deeds, addressed Vasishtha in these words, full of anxiety and fear, ’O illustrious one, the cruel Rakshasa, like unto Death himself armed with (his) fierce club, cometh towards us with a wooden club in hand!  There is none else on earth, except thee, O illustrious one, and, O foremost of all that are conversant with the Vedas to restrain him today.  Protect me, O illustrious one, from this cruel wretch of terrible mien.  Surely, the Rakshasa cometh hither to devour us’ Vasishtha, hearing this, said, ’Fear not, O daughter, there is no need of any fear from any Rakshasa.  This one is no Rakshasa from whom thou apprehendest such imminent danger.  This is king Kalmashapada endued with great energy and celebrated on earth.  That terrible man dwelleth in these woods.’

“The Gandharva continued, ’Beholding him advancing, the illustrious Rishi Vasishtha, endued with great energy, restrained him, O Bharata, by uttering the sound Hum.  Sprinkling him again with water sanctified with incantations the Rishi freed the monarch from that terrible curse.  For twelve years the monarch had been overwhelmed by the energy of Vasishtha’s son like Surya seized by the planet (Rahu) during the